CIVIL WAR FEDERAL JAMES SHELL, TYPE 1, \"BIRDCAGE\" ARTILLERY SHELL For Sale

Here is a dug, but excellent example of a Civil war type 1, 3.74\" Federal \"birdcage\" James Shell from a . James pounder James rifle. percussion fuse still is present. The 4 holes on the bottom of the shell are what some say vent holes, which are usually filled with lead, I don\'t know for sure if that was the purpose of the holes on the bottom. The shell would have had a lead sabot around it, not here. The concept of this shell by Charles James was very much forward thinking for it\'s time, but many of these type 1 shells would not explode after firing. The lead sabots would often kill \"friendlies\" which caused him to go with the type 2, which also had it\'s flaws. This shell weighs roughly 9 pounds now, there is a small hole drilled into the side of the shell for access to the powder to make it safe. I have 4 of this type and I will only be selling the one. I am a relic hunter and collector, i don\'t sell for a living, I sell to buy more. I always start my items at .99, I am listing this as a flat rate box, I never make money from shipping, if it\'s cheaper than what\'s listed I will refund it